Gallia

Young, rich and intelligent, Gallia Hamesthwaite embraces the dictates of reason and shuns the impulses of passion. She must choose between sensible rational marriage and sensual romantic love; but in pursuing the pleasure of a logical life, she must also endure the pain of emotional sacrifice.

Paperback, 222 pages

Published
September 15th 1995
by Everyman Paperbacks
(first published 1895)

Community Reviews

This was an interesting book, though not quite what I was expecting. Written in 1895 it caused a sensation for it’s frank portrayal of sex and sexual attitudes, and (according to the back cover) was the story of a strong intelligent woman who had to decide whether to give into her emotions or not. I was excited about reading a book by a woman covering these issues that are normally discussed by male authors such as Hardy and Wells. It was however, a very strange little book. The main character dThis was an interesting book, though not quite what I was expecting. Written in 1895 it caused a sensation for it’s frank portrayal of sex and sexual attitudes, and (according to the back cover) was the story of a strong intelligent woman who had to decide whether to give into her emotions or not. I was excited about reading a book by a woman covering these issues that are normally discussed by male authors such as Hardy and Wells. It was however, a very strange little book. The main character didn’t really come across as clever or interesting. Her entire focus was on that of becoming a wife, and when that failed, becoming a mother. What seemed to make Gallia “unique” was her dislike of other women’s company. At times the writing seemed almost misogynistic when discussing how men had “needs” and if a woman were intelligent then it shouldn’t bother her that a lover would be having sex with another woman while engaged (and not having sex) with her. There was also a lot of odd eugenics in the book about how you should either only marry a healthy male, and if he wasn’t then perhaps you should get someone else to father your children (or get pregnant if the woman was weak). It was all very bizarre. The plot was also mostly a romance, despite having a main character that went to Oxford, she seemed to have no desire or drive to do anything with her life (besides become a mother brought about by the guilt over her own mother’s death). She was terribly in love, and despite her would-be-lover loving her back she decided not to marry him as he wasn’t good enough. The writing style was quite inconsistent. Parts were beautiful and hilarious. Other parts it was confusing as to which characters were talking. It was a very quick easy read for a late Victorian novel. It was interesting and I’m glad I read it but I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to read anything else by this author. I have a feeling that we just wouldn’t have gotten on. ...more